Social Stories™: Reflect, Reboot, Reimagine

Carol Gray

Consultant and Founder, Team Social Stories™ and Social Stories Satellite

Carol Gray is an internationally respected author and speaker with 35 years experience as a teacher and consultant working on behalf of children and adults with autism.

In the early 1990s, Carol developed Social Stories™ and Comic Strip Conversations, evidence-based strategies used worldwide with children, adolescents, and adults with autism. She has published several articles, chapters, and books on a variety of topics, including how to teach social understanding and social skills; bullying; death and dying; loss and learning; categorization and generalization, supporting travel and recreation experiences, and social context.

Carol is the recipient of several awards for her international contribution to the education and welfare of people with autism. The mother of two adult children, Carol lives near Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, Brian, and two basset hounds.

Abstract

Short Description It is well-documented by research and practice that individuals with autism have difficulty "reading" and responding to the dynamic multitude of social events and variables that surround them each day. Since... [ view full abstract ]

Short DescriptionIt is well-documented by research and practice that individuals with autism have difficulty "reading" and responding to the dynamic multitude of social events and variables that surround them each day. Since 1990, *Social Stories have unraveled the confusion by providing parents and professionals with a method to effectively share information with those in their care. The surprising discovery is that parents and professionals have been learning at the same time, whether through the first-hand experience of developing and implementing a Story or formal research. The result is a dynamic instructional tool that keeps pace – and at times forges the trail – for Story authors and audiences alike. This presentation uses lecture and demonstration to explore the common threads of Social Stories yesterday, today, and tomorrow, with an emphasis on new ideas for the future.

Learning OutcomesAt the conclusion of this presentation, each participant will be able to:

1. Briefly summarize the history of Social Stories, including new corrections to that history2. Identify what is - and is not - a Social Story in light of the most recent 10.2 definition and criteria3. Explain the need for periodic revisions of the Social Story criteria and why it is important to keep abreast of updates to the approach 3. List at least three new areas for Social Story topics 4. Review, revise, and improve any story in his or her possession, including one that meets all of the current Social Story 10.2 criteria.

Target AudienceThis presentation is for any parent, professional, family member, or friend who is working on behalf of one or more children, adolescents, or adults with autism. Social Stories are particularly valuable for individuals with autism with moderate learning challenges to gifted academic ability and applicable for all levels of cognitive impairment with adaptation and modification.